Remains in 21 year old plane crash identified

Friday

Remains of a missing married couple have been discovered and officially identified in relation to a 1997 plane crash in the Hiawatha National Forest near St. Ignace.

Last week, forensic anthropologists recovered human remains and positively identified them as the missing Mark and Janet Davies, both of Howell.

The pair was in small single engine airplane piloted by Mark that was leaving Drummond Island and heading towards Howell. It was reported missing on Sept. 14, 1997. A flight plan was not filed.

The Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were notified of the discovery of aircraft wreckage in the Hiawatha National Forest on July 11. Deputies performed preliminary investigation of the site with Hiawatha National Forest personnel.

The wreckage was identified as the remains of a Piper PA-28 with a registration number matching the 1997 missing plane report. An initial investigation in 1997 produced limited results.

Soon after the 2018 discovery, the NTSB took over the investigation. The Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office, FAA and airplane and engine manufacturers assisted them during the onsite investigation.

The NTSB was onsite last week with forensic anthropologists and investigators to complete their onsite investigation. With the discovery of the Davies’ remains the Sheriff’s Office’s involvement has concluded.

Further investigation conducted by the NTSB will continue.

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